Spring-loaded hinge for spectacle frames and system for adjustment of temple angulation

ABSTRACT

A SPECTACLE TEMPLE IS PIVOTALLY CONNECTED TO A LENS SUPPORT FRAME BY A SPRING-LOADED HINGE. A RECESS IS FORMED IN THE OUTER END OF THE TEMPLE, AND AN INTEGRAL PROJECTION EXTENDS INTO THIS RECESS. A HINGE PLATE IS SLIDABLY SUPPORTED IN THE RECESS AND IS BIASED IN ONE DIRECTION BY A SPRING. THE HINGE PLATE HAS A SLOT WHICH RECEIVES THE PROJECTION. A COVER PLATE IS SECURED IN PLACE OVER THE HINGE PLATE WHICH, IN TURN, IS CONNECTED WITH THE LENS SUPPORT FRAME. IN CERTAIN FORMS OF THE INVENTION, ADJUSTMENT MEANS IS PROVIDED FOR SELECTIVELY PRESTRESSING THE SPRING AND THEREBY VARYING THE NORMAL ANGULATION OF THE TEMPLE WITH RESPECT TO THE LENS SUPPORT FRAME.

March'Z, 1971 F. SPEER 3,567,315 SPRING-LOADED HINGE FOR SPECTACLE FRAMES AND SYSTEM FOR ADJUSTMENT OF TEMPLE ANGULATION F1196 June 2, 1969 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 FREDERICK SPEER BY W I ATTORN 3,567,315 gm) SYSTEM FOR EER 4 Sheets-Sheet z TACLE FRAMES NGULATIO FREDERICK SPEER BY ATTOR F. SP HINGE FOR SPEC JUSTMENT 0F TEMPLE A Mai-ch 2, 1911 SPRING-LOADED AD Filed June 2. 1969 March 2 1971 F, SPE ER 3,567,315

FOR SPECTAC SPRING-LOADED HINGE' LE FRAMES AND SYSTEM FOR ADJUSTMENT OF TEMPLE ANGULATION Filed June 2. 1969 4 Sheets-Sheet 8 IOO es FREDERICK SPEER H0 ATTORNEY March 2, 1971 SPEER 3,567,315

' SPRING-LOADED HIN FOR SPECTAC LE FRAM AND SYSTEM FOR ADJUST T OF TEMPLE ANGULAT N Filed June 2.. 1969 I 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 v INVENTOR FR 505mg SPEER ATTORNE Unitedstates Patent SPRING-LOADED HINGE FOR SPECTACLE FRAMES AND SYSTEM FOR ADJUSTMENT OF TEMPLE ANGULATION Frederick Speer, 131 Briar Hill Circle, Springfield Township, Union County, NJ. 07081 Filed June 2, 1969, Ser. No. 829,658 Int. Cl. G02c /16, 5/20 US. Cl. 351113 5 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A spectacle temple is pivotally connected to a lens support frame by a spring-loaded hinge. A recess is formed in the outer end of the temple, and an integral projection extends into this recess. A hinge plate is slidably supported in the recess and is biased in one direction by a spring. The hinge plate has a slot which receives the projection. A cover plate is secured in place over the hinge plate which, in turn, is connected with the lens support frame. In certain forms of the invention, adjustment means is provided for selectively prestressing the spring and thereby varying the normal angulation of the temple with respect to the lens support frame.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a spring-loaded hinge assembly for spectacle frames which normally biases the temples inwardly of the spectacle frame so that the temples positively engage the head of the wearer to retain the spectacle frame in position. This type of spectacle frame is designed to obtain a perfect fit of the sides of a persons head. Additionally, such a resilient biasing arrangement ensures that the spectacle frame will remain properly positioned high on the nose and will not slide down along the nose when a person bends forwardly.

Spring-loaded hinges of this nature in the prior art have been excessively complex in construction and have not held up well under extended use. Furthermore, it is rather difficult to assemble and disassemble such prior art constructions, and they may be of a somewhat awkward or mechanistic appearance. In many instances it is also desirable to provide a system or means of adjustment whereby the normal angle of toe-in of each temple may be varied, thus permitting the pressure exerted by the temples on a persons head to vary in accordance with the particular situation such as comfort considerations or requirements of positive retention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In the present invention, the forward end of the temple has a recess formed therein for receiving a hinge plate which is slidable with respect to the temple. An integral projection is formed on the temple which extends into this recess, this projection being received within an elongated slot provided in the hinge plate. A cover plate which may be slidable into grooves formed in the temple material is disposed in overlying relationship to the hinge plate, and is secured in operative position by suitable attaching screws. In this manner, the supporting and retaining structure for the slidable hinge plate is formed essentially integrally with the temple itself thereby simplifying the over-all construction of the apparatus, and giving it a functionally attractive appearance. Further, several modified forms of an adjustment means for selectively prestressing the spring which biases the hinge plate for sliding movement with respect to the temple are provided. This adjustment means enables the spring to be prestressed so that the pressure exerted on a persons head by the temples. of a complete spectacle frame assembly may be varied as desired. In substance, this is achieved by varying the normal angulation of the spectacle temples with respect to the lens support frame to which they are pivotally connected.

The nature and substance of the present invention as well as its objects and advantages will be more clearly perceived and fully understood upon referring to the following description and claims considered in connection with the accompanying drawings which are briefly described below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a complete. spectacle frame incorporating spring-loaded hinges;

FIG. 1a is a top perspective exploded view of the hinge construction shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 2 is an elevation view showing the assembled hinge with the cover plate removed and the loading spring in its fully extended position;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 showing the hinge components with the spring under compression;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 4-4 of FIG. 3 looking in the direction of the arrows with the cover plate restored to operative position;

FIG. 5 is an elevation view of a spring-loaded hinge incorporating a mechanism whereby the normal prestressing or precompression of the loading spring may be varied;

FIG. 6 is a View similar to FIG. 5 with the cover plate removed from the hinge assembly;

'FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 77 of FIG. 5 looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of a portion of the structure shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a top view of a complete spectacle frame incorporating the adjustable spring-loaded hinge of FIGS. 5-8 inclusive;

FIG. 10 is a top perspective exploded view illustrating another spring-loaded hinge according to the present invention including a two-piece cam adjustment means;

FIG. 11 is a top perpsective view of the hinge shown in FIG. 10 in assembled position;

FIG. 12 is a sectional view on an enlarged scale taken substantially along line Ill-12 of FIG. 11 looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 13 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 1313 of FIG. 12 looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 14 is an elevation view partly broken away of a further modified form of hinge according to the present invention;

FIG. 15 is an elevation View illustrating various spacer blocks for use in the hinge shown in FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 16-16 of FIG. 14 looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 17 is an elevation view partly broken away of yet another modified form of hinge according to the. present invention;

FIG. 18 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 1818 of FIGv 17 looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 19 is an enlarged top perspective view of the adjustment pin shown in FIG. 17 and FIG. 18, and

FIG. 20 is a sectional view on an enlarged scale taken substantially along line 2020 of FIG. 17 looking in the direction of the arrows.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the drawings in detail wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, as seen in FIG. 1 a complete spectacle frame includes the usual lens support frame 10 having a pair of lenses 12 supported thereby. A pair of relatively conventional temples 14 are hingedly connected with opposite ends of the lens support frame by spring loaded hinges indicated by reference numbers 16. Referring particularly to FIG. 1a, a recess 20 is formed at the outer end of the temple in the inner surface thereof, this recess opening through the forward end of the temple. An elongated groove 22 is formed in the bottom wall of the recess, and an integral temple projection 24 extends into the recess. A hole 26 is defined in projection 24 and is provided with suitable threads for receiving an attaching screw hereinafter described. A shallow recess 28 is formed rearwardly in the inner surface of the forward portion of the temple, and is in commounication with the deeper recess 20. A hole 30 is formed in the bottom wall of recess 28, and is provided with threads for receiving an attaching screw.

An insert 40 is also provided. While the components of the spectacle frame may be of many different materials, in the embodiment illustrated the temple 14 is formed of metal such as aluminum while insert 40 is also formed of metal of a possibly harder nature. This insert is characterized by an elongated indentation 42 which is adapted to fit within the groove 22 provided in the temple. An aperture 44 is provided through the insert, and a struckup ear 46 extends substantially perpendicular to the plane of the main body portion of the insert. The insert is adapted to be mounted in such relationship that the indentation 42 thereof fits within groove 22 of the temple while temple projection 24 extends through aperture 44 in the insert with insert car 46 coming adjacent one side of the projection.

A hinge plate 50 which may also be formed of metallic material is provided, this hinge plate having hinge connecting means 52 which are adapted to cooperate with conventional hinge connecting means provided on the lens support frame whereby the temple may be pivotally interconnected with the lens support frame around the usual pin. The hinge plate is characterized by an elongated slot 54 formed therethrough, this slot including an enlarged portion 56 adapted to receive projection 24 and ear 46. A pin 58 is supported by the hingle plate within slot '54, and serves as a retaining and guide means for a compression spring 60. In the assembled relationship of the components one end of spring bears against a surface of ear 46 formed on insert 40 while the opposite end of the spring bears against an interior surface of the hinge plate which forms an end wall of the slot within which the spring is disposed. In this manner the spring which is under at least some compression at all times is disposed to urge the hinge plate into sliding movement to the right with respect to the associated temple.

A cover plate 64 which may be formed of a material similar to that of the temple is disposed in overlying relationship to the hinge plate, and is characterized by a pair of spaced holes 66 which are disposed to be aligned with the holes 26 and 30 formed in the temple. Attaching screws 68 extend through the cover plate in operative position on the temple. It will be noted particularly as seen in FIG. 4 that the cover plate is provided with a lateral flange 70 extending therearound whereby the cover plate includes a portion extending downwardly within the recess formed in the temple to locate the cover plate definitely in operative position independently of or pre viously to the securing effect of screws 68. FIG. 2 shows the hinge components with the cover plate removed and spring 60 as fully extended; that is, with hinge plate 50 moved as far to the right as it can go against an internal shoulder or banking surface of temple 14. As seen in FIG. 3, the hinge plate is moved somewhat to the left with respect to the temple by means not shown, thereby further compressing spring 60.

Referring next to FIGS. -9 inclusive, a modified form of spring-loaded hinge assembly is illustrated. The construction of this form of the invention is identical in many respects to that previously described, and similar parts have been given the same reference numerals primed. In this embodiment of the invention, an adjustment mechanism is provided which enables the spring of the hinge to be prestressed so as to vary the position of repose of the temples to various degrees or angles of toe-in when biased inwardly by the spring means. For a typical example, the toe-in may be an angle of approximately 3, as shown in solid line delineation of the temples of the spectacle frame assembly of FIG. 9, which will apply maximum pressure to a persons head when the temples are normally so set or adjusted. If the temples be adjusted so that their normal position of repose is one in which they are disposed substantially at 90 to the lens support frame, as shown in broken or phantom line delineation of the temples in FIG. 9, a minimum amount of pressure will be applied to a persons head when the spectacles are in use, assuming the same person, i.e., the same cranial dimensions, and same spectacles or spectacle dimensions in each case.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, a further recess is provided in temple 14 which receives a one-piece rotatable cam device. indicated generally by reference number 84. This cam device includes a stub shaft or hub portion 86 which is journaled within a corresponding bearing recess or aperture formed in the temple in the bottom of recess 80. A further and opposite hub portion 88 of cam device 84 is provided with a kerf 90 in its outer end so that the actual cam element may be adjusted rotatably by a suitable tool such as a screw driver. FIG. 8 in particular shows that the cam element of device 84 is characterized by a plurality of concave peripheral surface segments or portions 92 which are disposed at different minimum distances from the axis of rotation of the device. These distances are indicated by reference characters A, B, C, D, E and F as seen in FIG. 8, and in a typical example may be respectively .035, .038, .041, .044, .047, and .050 inch. The surfaces 92 themselves serve as successively selective banking surfaces for hinge plate 50' which is urged steadily to the right by the force of compression spring 60'.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, cover plate 64' is provided with a hole 96 wherethrough cam hub portion 88 extends and whereat one can gain access to the kerf 90 therein so that the cam device may be adjusted with the hinge assembly cover plate in place. It is apparent that by rotating the cam device to different angular positions the amount of prestress of spring 60 of the hinge may be selectively adjusted as the location of the effective banking surface of hinge plate 50' is shifted. The farther that hinge plate 50' is moved to the left (cam surface F being in use, for example) the more prestress or precompression is imposed on spring 60". With more prestress the normal toe-in angle of temple 14' is reduced, and the spectacles of which it is a component will fit more comfortably yet firmly on a person having a relatively wide head.

Referring next to FIGS. 10-13 inclusive, a hinge construction is shown which is in many respects similar to that shown in FIGS. 5-9, and here again with reference to the showings in FIGS. 1-4 the same parts have been given the same reference numbers primed. In this form of the invention each temple is provided top and bottom with a pair of parallel flanges 100 and 102 extending toward one another, these flanges cooperating with flanges or narrowed edge regions 104 and 106 formed on opposite sides of the cover plate 64 so that the cover plate may be slid into operative position on temple 14' shouldering against the rear ends of flanges 100 and 102. Thereafter it is secured in place as before by means of attaching screws 68'. For convenience of assembly of this embodiment or construction, the cam means is formed in two pieces including a first or actual cam element 110 having a plurality of concave peripheral surface segments or por-= tions 112 identical with the peripheral portions 92 of the cam means or device 84 previously described. Cam element 110 is characterized by a threaded bore 114 extending therethrough.

The entire cam means or assembly includes a second part in the nature of a shaft or axle having a threaded shank 116 which is adapted to be threaded into the bore 114 in cam portion 110. An enlarged head 118 is formed on threaded shank 116, and a tool engaging means such as a kerf 120 is defined in this head. As in the embodiment shown in FIGS. -9, a hole 122 is provided in the cover plate to enable the cam device to be adjusted while the cover plate is secured in operative position. Here again, it is apparent that by suitably turning the cam means the hinge plate 50 in spring-loaded abutting relationship with the outer periphery of the cam element may be moved or allowed to move longitudinally along the temple to apply a desired degree of prestress to the associated spring 60, and the normal angulation of temple 14' with respect to the lens support frame be varied accordingly.

Referring next to FIGS. 14-16 inclusive, a hinge construction is shown which is in at least some respects similar to that shown in FIGS. 59, and, accordingly, with reference to the showings in FIGS. 14 similar parts have been given the same reference numbers primed. In this form of the invention each temple is provided with a recess 130 which is adapted to receive a spacer block intended to provide a banking surface for spring-loaded hinge plate 50'. As seen in FIG. 15, spacer blocks 132, 134 and 136 of different sizes, i.e., different lengths, may be provided, and while three spacer blocks are illustrated it is apparent that any number of spacer blocks may be furnished according to the range and fineness of size graduations desired. By employing different ones of these spacer blocks the amount of prestress applied to compression spring 60 may be selectively adjusted, it being understood that when an adjustment is to be made one spacer block is taken out of recess 130 and another spacer block substituted therefor. Normal angulation of temples 14' is varied accordingly. Each of spacer blocks 132, 134 and 136 has an arcuate surface 132', 134' and 136, respectively, which is substantially complementary to the abutting right-hand end of the hinge plate for snugly engaging that plate.

Referring finally to FIGS. 17-20 inclusive, yet another hinge construction is shown which incorporates a number of features substantially identical to those of the construction shown in FIGS. 5-9, and thus once more with reference to the showings in FIGS. l-4 similar parts have been given the same reference numbers primed. In this form of the invention, the adjustment means or system includes a bore 140 extending through the temple and in communication with the recess which receives the slidable hinge plate. Slidably disposed within bore 140 is an adjustment pin indicated generally by reference number 144. This pin is characterized by a substantially cylindrical body portion 146 having distinguishable portions 148, 150 and 152 of different dimensions formed thereon. Each of portions 148, 150 and 152 is of generally arcuate longitudinal cross-sectional configuration, portion 148 having a maximum diameter, portion 150 having an intermediate diameter, and portion 152 having a minimum diameter. Each of these portions 148, 150 and 152 is adapted to engage the right-hand end surface of the associated slidable hinge plate 50'. It may be seen that by adjusting the position of the pin within the associated bore, with accompanying adjustment of the position of binge plate 50', the amount of prestress applied to spring 60' may be adjusted to thereby alter the normal angle of the temple with respect to the associated lens support frame.

As this invention may be embodied in several forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof, the present embodiments are therefore illustrative and not restrictive, and since the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims, all changes that fall within the metes and bounds of the claims or that constitute their functional as well as conjointly cooperative equivalents are therefore intended to be embraced by those claims. In particular, while this invention has been generally illustrated and described in relation to spectacle temples made of metallic material it may be practiced just as well in relation to temples made of a suitably hard plastic material. Such an arrangement would differ from the ones illustrated mainly in that the temples would be provided with metallic core wires or pieces having tapped holes to receive the attaching screws 68 and 68 rather than threads being cut in the base plastic material. Further, there might be certain metal inserts provided to furnish durable bearing surfaces.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination, (1) a spectacle temple characterized by a recess in one end thereof with said recess having an open end at said one end of said temple, (2) a hinge plate having one end and another end and slidably supported by said temple within said recess and including hinge connecting means at its end nearer to said open end of said recess cooperable with hinge connecting means on a spectacle lens support frame, (3) a compression spring within said recess engaging said hinge plate and normally biasing the same for movement in a direction away from said open end of said recess, and (4) an adjustment means mounted on said temple for selectively prestressing said compression spring and simultaneously varying the normal position of said hinge plate with respect to said temple by holding said hinge plate in a plurality of positions against the thrust of said compression spring, said adjustment means including a cam device providing a variable banking surface for an end surface of said hinge plate at its end farther from said open end of said recess.

2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said cam device is rotatable with respect to said temple and hinge plate and is characterized by a plurality of concave peripheral portions disposed at varying distances from its axis of rotation.

3. Apparatus as defined in claim 2 including means for selectively rotating said cam device with respect to said temple and hinge plate.

4. In combination, (1) a spectacle temple characterized by a recess in one end thereof with said recess having an open end at said one end of said temple, (2) a hinge plate having one end and another end and slidably supported by said temple within said recess and including hinge connecting means at its end nearer to said open end of said recess cooperable with hinge connecting means on a spectacle lens support frame, (3) a compression spring within said recess engaging said hinge plate and normally biasing the same for movement in a direction away from said open end of said recess, and (4) an adjustment means mounted on said temple for selectively prestressing said compression spring and simultaneously varying the normal position of said hinge plate with respect to said temple by holding said hinge plate in a plurality of positions against the thrust of said compression spring, said adjustment means including a plurality of substitutable spacer blocks of different sizes each providing a banking surface for an end surface of said hinge plate at its end farther from said open end of said recess.

5. In combination, (1) a spectacle temple characterized by a recess in one end thereof with said recess having an open end at said one end of said temple, (2) a hinge plate having one end and another end and slidably supported by said temple within said recess and including hinge connecting means at its end nearer to said open end of said recess cooperable with hinge connecting mean-s on a spectacle lens support frame, (3) a compression spring within said recess engaging said hinge plate and normally biasing the same for movement in a direction away from said open end of said recess, and (4) an adjustment means mounted on said temple for selectively prestressing said compression spring and simultaneously varying the normal position of said hinge plate with respect to said temple by holding said hinge plate in a plurality of positions against the thrust of said compression spring, said adjustment means including an elongated pin having a plurality of spaced longitudinal portions of different dimensions each providing a banking surface for an end surface of said hinge plate at its end farther from said open end of said recess.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 8 r 3,166,754 1/1965 Stegrnan 351153 3,243,248 3/ 1966 Speer 351113X FOREIGN PATENTS 594,803 6/1959 Italy 351-413 DAVID SCI-IONBERG, Primary Examiner J. W. LEONARD, Assistant Examiner US, Cl. 16-18-O; 351121, 153 

